A Whitefish man was in custody Saturday in connection with the murder of an 18-year-old Olney man who was reported missing 10 days ago. Flathead County Sheriff Jim Dupont said Christopher R. Showen, 18, was arrested Saturday following an investigation by local law enforcement officials into the death of Carl John Storkson. Showen is accused of shooting Storkson in the head and burying him in the Stillwater State Forest near Olney.
Dupont said the investigation into Storkson's death is ongoing and further arrests could be pending.
"We believe there were accomplices after the homicide," Dupont said.
Dupont said the body, found in a shallow grave near Olney Friday, was identified as Storkson, who was reported missing by his parents on April 9.
An autopsy conducted at the state crime lab in Missoula determined that Storkson died of a single gunshot wound to the head, Dupont said.
Dupont said authorities were still piecing together the events surrounding Storkson's death. He said the Olney man was killed with a handgun, although no murder weapon has yet been found.
"We don't have a motive yet. I can't say why it happened," he said. "We may be dealing with people who don't need much of a motive."
It also appears that Storkson was killed more than a week ago, Dupont said.
Investigators believe Showen shot Storkson inside Storkson's car and then burned the car to destroy the evidence. Storkson's body was dragged to where it was buried.
Flathead County deputies were tipped off about the body's whereabouts Thursday by an anonymous telephone call. Following the informant's lead, deputies discovered Storkson's burned car near Olney.
The informant also told authorities that Storkson's body might be buried in the area. A search posse combed the area Friday, before a deputy discovered a small piece of bloody clothing. A closer inspection turned up Storkson's body in a shallow grave.
(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
